Pets that produce

The right furry friend can offer your household more than a warm cuddle and slobbery kisses – they can even help out with putting a meal on the table and boosting your winter wardrobe! We’re talking, of course, about ‘pets that produce’ and the perfect example is chickens.

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Who doesn’t love the idea of fresh eggs every day for free? Rhode Island Reds are prolific layers, with a single chicken producing more than 250 light brown eggs a year. If you’re after more variety on the colour spectrum, consider a Light Sussex hen – hardy and good for beginners, they come in lots of different colours, including speckled and silver.

Pekin Bantam

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Showing off your fowl? The Pekin Bantam is a very refined exhibition bird, but pales in comparison to the splendour of the pompom-esque Silkie, a fussy customer that demands a lot of extra care. Click here for instructions on how to make a chicken coop.

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For a fresher-than-fresh supply of dairy, why not consider a goat? The milk is easier and quicker to digest than cow’s, and a Swiss-breed Saanen goat supplies an average of five litres of milk a day. They’re a herd animal, so you’ll need at least two to keep each other company. Just be sure to check with your local council.

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And if it’s free fleece you’re after, look no further than an alpaca. The Huacaya is as easycare as it gets, with shearing only required once or twice a year. Their soft coat will have you all wrapped up!